Abstract
The application of a DC plasma emission spectrometer to the measurement of copper, zinc and magnesium in serum and urine is reported. Each assay requires only a simple dilution in 1% nitric acid.
Comparisons with standard atomic absorption techniques showed good analytical agreement, especially for copper and magnesium. Analysis of quality control preparations for copper and zinc gave results ranging from −1·5% to +3·6% of the stated values for five copper and four zinc experiments, with an unexplained result of +7·6% for one zinc experiment. Reference ranges were compiled for serum zinc and urinary copper which agreed closely with those established by atomic absorption and neutron activation analysis. Assays by DC plasma emission are thus precise and reproducible, and simple enough to authenticate the method for use in a clinical laboratory.